The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-02-26

Connecticut family. He had one brother on the
supreme Bench OF the United States, and an
other who was business man OF uncommon
qualifcations. Baldwin, like Creighton, was
admitted to the bar in Chilicothe in 1709 but he
was man OF more varied and shining talents
and rapidly gained name throughout the new
| territory. Baldwin's talents were of such a
brilliant nature that they excited jealousy
| among some of his legal acquaintances, who, It
! Is said encouraged his appetite for whisky in
order that he might become drunkard and so
| be removed from their paths From 1903 to 1906
Baldwin did great deal of legal business, and
did 1t extremely well. After 1903 his name ap-
| pears chiefly, says Colonel Gilmore, as the de-
fendant in suits for whisky bills. He must have
become confirmed drunkard about this time,
and his fall was very rapid.
Baldwin filled u number of responsible posi-
tions. He was a member of the first Constitu-
tional Convention, and it is common tradition
that he wrote almost the whole OF our first con-
stitution in the bar-room of VIM. Keys tavern
using wine keg for his seat and the head Of a
whisky barrel for writing table. If this tale
| is true, and it is by no means improbable the
instrument that was the fundamental law of
| this State for about half q century had queer
origin.
In lsO3-4-5 Baldwin was Speaker of the House
OF Representatives and his convivial habits
, were pretty well developed at that time II is
said that he was then something of card play
I
late hour with party of rural members OF the
, Legislature who craved excitement. Baldwin
was banker and dealer, and he managed to win
all OF the money and all OF the watches in the
party. He retired flushed with his pleasant
! victory. and being used to late hours, appeared
IN the Speakers chair the next morning ut the
usual hour and called the House to order After
time some one demanded n call of the House.
ana the fact was officially made known that
thcre was no quorum present. The Sergeant-at-
Arms was sent after the absent members and
in an hour or two he conducted n dozen sleepy
looking fellows, Baldwin's companions at cards
before the bar of the House. Baldwin arose in
his place, and with n good deal of dignity and
! severity OF manner began to reprimand the half
sober delinquents for their indifference to the
public veal and to the trusts reposed in them
by their constituents. He reminded them of the
/ great cost to the young State of each day that
the Legislature was In session, and said they
had no right to consume tho time of the people
in sleep, and was urging them to be more pune
tual when one OF the alf-tipsy tardy ones ex-
claimed; Hold on, there, Mr.. Speaker! How
III - can we be expected to know the hour
when you have got all our watchess"
In the meantime Baldwin was sinking deeper
ana deeper into debt and becoming more and
more given to the undue use OF whisky His
friends, upon one or two occasions, ATTEMPTED
to relieve him OF his grave financial embarrass-
ments, and for that purpose sent him bags OF
com amounting 10 considerable sum- Bald
win took the money, hired q negro TO carry the
bags, and then called on his creditors and had
each one in turn grab a handful OF coin, without
regard TO the amount OF his claim, continuing
his queer debt-paying journey until the money
was exhausted.
Baldwin was u S. Marshal for time, but was
removed by Jefferson, whom he thoroughly
, hated.
When the Burr expedition failed Aaron Burr
, advised Blenncrhasset to retain for their coun.
sci in their trial for high treason, which they
both expected, Judge Jacob Burnett OF Cincin-
natl, and Michael Baldwin, OF Chillicothe. The
trial did not take place, but Blennerhassct wrote
his wife In December, 1907: II have retained
Burnet and Baldwin. The former will be u host
with the decent part OF the citzons OF Ohio, and
the latter giant OF influence with the rabble."
Baldwin died about 1912, and was probably not
more than thirty-hve or six years Of age. His
life was freighted with significant point and In.
terest, and unfortunately his career is by no
means an uncommon one with LAWYERS who '.ive
woll, work hard and die poor"
The orator OF the early bar of Rosz Ckrlty
was William Sumpter, who was DOrn In South
Carolina In the last decade OF the eighteenth
century. He was q speaker of magnetic pres
ence, rare eloquence and uncommon force. His
reputation was wide, and he was most fire.
quently referred TO rs the Patrick Henry OF the
West.
Colonel Gilmore thinks that Murphy was prob
ably the greatest orator that this State has ever
produced Unfortunately none OF his speeches
were preserved. Shorthand writing was not In
vogue, and printing was expensive, so his fame
must shortly perish. President Tyler, In rec.
osr.tion Of 1urphy's distinguished services o.